Legal Director

Legal Director

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Markel

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and shape the Crime & Regulatory team while managing complex legal cases.
  • Company: Join Markel Law, a dynamic firm with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, flexible working, and 25 days holiday.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career progression and influence in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a nationally recognised practice with diverse clients.
  • Qualifications: Senior Associate or Legal Director with expertise in crime/regulatory law.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

At Markel Law, we don’t just advise on risk; we help businesses navigate their most complex and high-stakes challenges with confidence. We’re now looking for a senior Crime & Regulatory lawyer ready to step into a Legal Director level role, combining technical excellence, leadership, and commercial impact. The role is to provide input into the strategic leadership, development and growth of the crime and regulatory team, along with managing a varied case load both as the day-to-day contact on cases and also as supervisor to more junior colleagues in the team.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the direction of a nationally recognised practice while working on some of the most interesting and varied matters in the market.

What makes this role different? You’ll join a highly ranked Crime & Regulatory team (Legal 500 & Chambers) working across a broad and complex caseload, including:

  • Inquests and public inquiries
  • Professional discipline
  • Police gross misconduct investigations
  • Health & safety, environmental and licensing matters
  • Entity regulation (including Ofsted & CQC)

But this role goes beyond casework. You’ll be empowered to:

  • Influence strategy and growth of the practice
  • Build and deepen client and insurer relationships
  • Develop and mentor lawyers
  • Play a key role in expanding our Manchester presence

The role: As a Legal Director, you will:

  • Lead on complex, high-value regulatory matters, including advocacy where appropriate
  • Be a technical specialist to deal with complex inquests and fitness to practise cases, undertaking own advocacy and helping support and develop juniors
  • Provide commercial, pragmatic advice to businesses and individuals (insured and uninsured)
  • Support the strategic direction and growth of the Crime & Regulatory team
  • Build strong relationships with insurers, clients and internal partners
  • Supervise, develop and inspire junior lawyers
  • Contribute to business development, marketing and thought leadership
  • Take ownership of financial performance, important metrics and profitability

What we’re looking for: You’re likely to be:

  • A Senior Associate, Legal Director or Partner specialising in crime/regulatory law
  • Technically strong across multiple regulatory disciplines
  • Commercially minded, with a track record in client development and growth
  • Experienced in working with insurance-backed work or complex participant environments
  • A confident leader who enjoys developing people and building teams

Most importantly, you’ll bring the ambition and credibility to help take this practice to the next level.

Why Markel Law? We’re part of a global Fortune 500 group, but we operate with the agility and culture of a specialist firm. Work with a high-quality, diverse client base including SMEs, corporates and professionals. Access to a strong pipeline of work via insurance partnerships and internal referrals. Be part of a collaborative, people-first culture. Play a genuine role in shaping the future of the team and wider business.

What you’ll get:

  • Competitive salary + great bonus
  • 25 days holiday (with buy/sell options)
  • Pension, private medical & dental
  • Life assurance and income protection
  • Flexible working and genuine work/life balance
  • A clear platform for progression and influence

Ready to make an impact? If you’re looking for a leadership role where you can combine top-tier legal work with real strategic influence, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

At Markel, we are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.

Legal Director employer: Markel

At Markel Law, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and people-first culture. As a Legal Director in Manchester, you will not only lead a highly ranked Crime & Regulatory team but also have the opportunity to shape the strategic direction of our practice while enjoying a competitive salary, flexible working options, and a clear path for professional growth. Join us to work with a diverse client base and make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment that values your contributions.

Markel

Contact Details:

Markel Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Director

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field, especially those who work in crime and regulatory law. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! When you’re chatting with potential employers or networking contacts, make sure to highlight your experience with complex cases and your leadership skills. Share specific examples of how you've influenced strategy or mentored junior lawyers – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, like the Legal Director position at Markel Law, reach out directly to someone in the team. Ask questions about the role and express your enthusiasm. This personal touch can make a big difference in getting noticed.

Tip Number 4

Keep learning and sharing! Stay updated on the latest trends in crime and regulatory law, and consider writing articles or giving talks. This not only boosts your credibility but also shows potential employers that you’re passionate about your field. Plus, it’s a great way to build your network!

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Director

Technical Excellence in Crime & Regulatory Law
Leadership Skills
Commercial Awareness
Client Development
Advocacy Skills
Mentoring and Development of Junior Lawyers
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Legal Expertise:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your technical skills and experience in crime and regulatory law. We want to see how you've tackled complex cases and what makes you a standout candidate for this Legal Director role.

Demonstrate Leadership Skills:This role is all about leading and mentoring others, so don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've developed junior lawyers or influenced team strategy. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and build a strong team culture.

Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the job description. Use similar language and focus on the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned. This shows us that you understand the role and are genuinely interested in joining our team.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Markel

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of crime and regulatory law. Familiarise yourself with recent cases, especially those relevant to the role at Markel Law. Being able to discuss specific legal principles or recent developments will show that you're not just technically strong but also genuinely interested in the field.

Show Leadership Skills

As a Legal Director, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've mentored junior lawyers or led teams in the past. Think about situations where you've influenced strategy or contributed to team growth, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Build Relationships

Markel Law values strong client and insurer relationships. Be ready to discuss how you've developed these connections in your previous roles. Share specific strategies you've used to build rapport and trust, as well as any successful outcomes from those relationships.

Be Commercially Minded

This role requires a commercial approach to legal advice. Prepare to talk about how you've provided pragmatic, business-focused solutions in the past. Highlight any experience you have with insurance-backed work or complex participant environments, as this will be crucial for the position.